Liverpool's Portuguese striker Diogo Jota celebrates scoring his team's second goal against Atalanta. AFP
Liverpool's Portuguese striker Diogo Jota celebrates scoring his team's second goal against Atalanta. AFP
Liverpool's Portuguese striker Diogo Jota celebrates scoring his team's second goal. EPA
Liverpool's Portuguese striker Diogo Jota celebrates scoring his team's second goal. EPA
Atalanta's Colombian forward Duvan Zapata reacts next to Liverpool's Portuguese striker Diogo Jota. AFP
Atalanta's Colombian forward Duvan Zapata reacts next to Liverpool's Portuguese striker Diogo Jota. AFP
Diogo Jota nets against Atalanta. Reuters
Diogo Jota nets against Atalanta. Reuters
Diogo Jota scored his first hat-trick in Liverpool colours against Atalanta. AFP
Diogo Jota scored his first hat-trick in Liverpool colours against Atalanta. AFP
Diogo Jota in action. AFP
Diogo Jota in action. AFP
Liverpool's Portuguese striker Diogo Jota is congratulated by Liverpool's Senegalese striker Sadio Mane after scoring. AFP
Liverpool's Portuguese striker Diogo Jota is congratulated by Liverpool's Senegalese striker Sadio Mane after scoring. AFP
Diogo Jota scores Liverpool's fifth goal to complete his hat-trick. Reuters
Diogo Jota scores Liverpool's fifth goal to complete his hat-trick. Reuters
Liverpool's Diogo Jota scores to make it 5-0. EPA
Liverpool's Diogo Jota scores to make it 5-0. EPA
Liverpool's Portuguese striker Diogo Jota celebrates with the match ball. EPA
Liverpool's Portuguese striker Diogo Jota celebrates with the match ball. EPA

Football

Hat-trick hero Diogo Jota relishing playing alongside 'world class' Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane

Portuguese netted three times in Liverpool's Champions League win at Atalanta

Steve Luckings
Steve Luckings
Abu Dhabi

November 04, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Diogo Jota described Liverpool teammates Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane as "world class" after netting his first hat-trick for Liverpool in their 5-0 demolition of Atalanta in the Champions League.

The Portuguese moved to Anfield in a £41 million ($53.3m) deal in September and has proved a valuable addition to Jurgen Klopp's Premier League champions.

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With Roberto Firmino struggling for goals, Jota was preferred at the tip of the Reds' attack in Bergamo on Wednesday and repaid his manager's faith in spades.

"Obviously they [Mane and Salah] are two world-class players, we all know their quality which makes it easier for me to do my job because they are outstanding and we had a great game together today," said the 23-year-old, who has now scored in four consecutive games since his move from Wolves.

"Five goals, that doesn't happen so often."

Jota scored a first half brace, completing his hat-trick after 55 minutes after Salah and Mane added two more just after the break in northern Italy.

"We scored early so that's a good moment for me and the team and then we can manage the game our way," Jota added.

The Portuguese became just the second player to score on his first two starts in the Champions League for Liverpool since Robbie Keane 2008, after notching the opener in a 2-0 win over Midtjylland last time out.

"I'm playing in the best team of my career so far," Jota said.

_________________________

Atalanta v Liverpool ratings

ATALANTA RATINGS: Marco Sportiello - 3. Was overwhelmed by the relentlessness of Liverpool’s attack. Should have done much better for Mane’s goal and Jota’s third. AFP
ATALANTA RATINGS: Marco Sportiello - 3. Was overwhelmed by the relentlessness of Liverpool’s attack. Should have done much better for Mane’s goal and Jota’s third. AFP
Rafael Toloi - 3. Never able to get a grip on Mane and Jota. Will have nightmares about the Liverpool forwards. AFP
Rafael Toloi - 3. Never able to get a grip on Mane and Jota. Will have nightmares about the Liverpool forwards. AFP
Berat Djimsiti - 3. Bemused by the crispness of Liverpool’s passing and was often confused about which opponent to pick up. AFP
Berat Djimsiti - 3. Bemused by the crispness of Liverpool’s passing and was often confused about which opponent to pick up. AFP
Jose Luis Palomino - 3. Roasted by Jota. Unable to cope with the pace and movement of Liverpool’s front three. AFP
Jose Luis Palomino - 3. Roasted by Jota. Unable to cope with the pace and movement of Liverpool’s front three. AFP
Hans Hateboer - 3. Salah turned the Dutchman with ease for the third goal. Will not be looking forward to the return match at Anfield. AFP
Hans Hateboer - 3. Salah turned the Dutchman with ease for the third goal. Will not be looking forward to the return match at Anfield. AFP
Mario Pasalic - 3. The Croat made no impact in England after signing for Chelsea six years ago and had a forgettable evening. Left the game with 27 minutes left when Malinovskyi came on. Reuters
Mario Pasalic - 3. The Croat made no impact in England after signing for Chelsea six years ago and had a forgettable evening. Left the game with 27 minutes left when Malinovskyi came on. Reuters
Remo Freuler - 2. Looked like he was treading water as Salah sped away from him before scoring Liverpool’s third and then again when the Egyptian broke quickly in the closing stages. Ineffectual. AFP
Remo Freuler - 2. Looked like he was treading water as Salah sped away from him before scoring Liverpool’s third and then again when the Egyptian broke quickly in the closing stages. Ineffectual. AFP
Johan Mojica - 4. Struggled to cope with Alexander-Arnold’s runs. Was unable to get forward and trouble Liverpool. Reuters
Johan Mojica - 4. Struggled to cope with Alexander-Arnold’s runs. Was unable to get forward and trouble Liverpool. Reuters
Papu Gomez - 4. Forced to drop deep in an attempt to get on the ball and influence the play. The tactic did not work. Has talent but did not express it. AFP
Papu Gomez - 4. Forced to drop deep in an attempt to get on the ball and influence the play. The tactic did not work. Has talent but did not express it. AFP
Luis Muriel - 3. A couple of half chances came his way in the opening period but the forward lacked composure and confidence. Replaced by Pessina in the 53rd minute. EPA
Luis Muriel - 3. A couple of half chances came his way in the opening period but the forward lacked composure and confidence. Replaced by Pessina in the 53rd minute. EPA
Duvan Zapata - 5. Lack of movement and a tendency to stray offside meant the Colombian was disappointing in the first period. Missed a simple header but came to life in the second half when it was too late. He was unlucky to hit the woodwork and he forced a good save from Alisson. AFP
Duvan Zapata - 5. Lack of movement and a tendency to stray offside meant the Colombian was disappointing in the first period. Missed a simple header but came to life in the second half when it was too late. He was unlucky to hit the woodwork and he forced a good save from Alisson. AFP
SUB: Matteo Pessina - 3. Replaced the disappointing Muriel with 37 minutes left. Had little impact on the game. AFP
SUB: Matteo Pessina - 3. Replaced the disappointing Muriel with 37 minutes left. Had little impact on the game. AFP
SUB: Rusian Malinovskyi - 3. Joined the match after 63 minutes when Pasalic was withdrawn. Just about as anonymous as the man he replaced. AFP
SUB: Rusian Malinovskyi - 3. Joined the match after 63 minutes when Pasalic was withdrawn. Just about as anonymous as the man he replaced. AFP
SUB: Fabio Depaoli - 4. Part of a triple substitution with nine minutes left. On for Hateboer as the minutes ticked away. Reuters
SUB: Fabio Depaoli - 4. Part of a triple substitution with nine minutes left. On for Hateboer as the minutes ticked away. Reuters
SUB: Matteo Ruggeri - 4. Replaced Mojica in the 81st minute. Likely relieved that he did not have to face Liverpool for longer. Reuters
SUB: Matteo Ruggeri - 4. Replaced Mojica in the 81st minute. Likely relieved that he did not have to face Liverpool for longer. Reuters
SUB: Sam Lammers - 4. On for Gomez for the final nine minutes. Sent in a good cross and was lively despite the situation. Made a case that he should have started. AFP
SUB: Sam Lammers - 4. On for Gomez for the final nine minutes. Sent in a good cross and was lively despite the situation. Made a case that he should have started. AFP
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 7. Made a number of good saves, particularly from Muriel and Zapata. Quick off his line and excellent at starting Liverpool attacks. EPA
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 7. Made a number of good saves, particularly from Muriel and Zapata. Quick off his line and excellent at starting Liverpool attacks. EPA
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 7. Stretches the opposition defence with his wide attacking play and is always a threat with his precise passing. Never forced out of his comfort zone in his own half. AFP
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 7. Stretches the opposition defence with his wide attacking play and is always a threat with his precise passing. Never forced out of his comfort zone in his own half. AFP
Joe Gomez - 7. Rarely troubled. Confident on the ball and assured when playing out from the back. Had one nervous moment when he left his feet to allow Zapata a chance but otherwise excellent. Reuters
Joe Gomez - 7. Rarely troubled. Confident on the ball and assured when playing out from the back. Had one nervous moment when he left his feet to allow Zapata a chance but otherwise excellent. Reuters
Rhys Williams - 7. Comfortable and assured. Mature display for a 19-year-old who has so much potential to improve. Reuters
Rhys Williams - 7. Comfortable and assured. Mature display for a 19-year-old who has so much potential to improve. Reuters
Andrew Robertson - 7. Always ready to change the point of attack with a diagonal ball and eager to drive upfield. Replaced by Keita in the 65th minute. AFP
Andrew Robertson - 7. Always ready to change the point of attack with a diagonal ball and eager to drive upfield. Replaced by Keita in the 65th minute. AFP
Jordan Henderson - 7. Never stops running, never stops talking. Consistently available as an outlet ball for teammates and a vocal leader of the side. AFP
Jordan Henderson - 7. Never stops running, never stops talking. Consistently available as an outlet ball for teammates and a vocal leader of the side. AFP
Georginio Wijnaldum - 7. Dynamic when the opposition had possession and determined to get forward and join the attack when his own team had the ball. Reuters
Georginio Wijnaldum - 7. Dynamic when the opposition had possession and determined to get forward and join the attack when his own team had the ball. Reuters
Curtis Jones - 7. Found lots of space and showed his ability on the ball. Relished raiding into the Atalanta penalty area. The 19-year-old shone like a seasoned veteran. Reuters
Curtis Jones - 7. Found lots of space and showed his ability on the ball. Relished raiding into the Atalanta penalty area. The 19-year-old shone like a seasoned veteran. Reuters
Mohamed Salah - 8. Turned on the afterburners to race more than 70 yards to score. He exudes danger constantly. Almost caught out the goalkeeper with a clever chip from deep. EPA
Mohamed Salah - 8. Turned on the afterburners to race more than 70 yards to score. He exudes danger constantly. Almost caught out the goalkeeper with a clever chip from deep. EPA
Diogo Jota - 9. Unstoppable right from the start. Showed remarkable strength for his first goal and superb technique for his second. Displayed great anticipation, pace and control for the hat-trick strike. The Portuguese has made Liverpool even deadlier up front. EPA
Diogo Jota - 9. Unstoppable right from the start. Showed remarkable strength for his first goal and superb technique for his second. Displayed great anticipation, pace and control for the hat-trick strike. The Portuguese has made Liverpool even deadlier up front. EPA
Sadio Mane - 8. A bright, vibrant performance was rewarded with a goal. Ran the defence ragged and combined well with Jota. EPA
Sadio Mane - 8. A bright, vibrant performance was rewarded with a goal. Ran the defence ragged and combined well with Jota. EPA
SUB: Roberto Firmino - 6. Tough for the Brazilian, who replaced Jota in the 65th minute. By the time he arrived Liverpool were on cruise control and it was hard to impress in the circumstances but this is a player who never lacks effort. AFP
SUB: Roberto Firmino - 6. Tough for the Brazilian, who replaced Jota in the 65th minute. By the time he arrived Liverpool were on cruise control and it was hard to impress in the circumstances but this is a player who never lacks effort. AFP
SUB: Naby Keita - 6. Given a run-out as Jurgen Klopp rested Robertson with Manchester City on Saturday in mind. Effective in a 25 minute cameo and full of energy after returning to fitness. Reuters
SUB: Naby Keita - 6. Given a run-out as Jurgen Klopp rested Robertson with Manchester City on Saturday in mind. Effective in a 25 minute cameo and full of energy after returning to fitness. Reuters
SUB: James Milner - 6. Took over from Henderson with 24 minutes left. Did his usual steady job, first at left-back and then in midfield. Should have scored from a header in the area. EPA
SUB: James Milner - 6. Took over from Henderson with 24 minutes left. Did his usual steady job, first at left-back and then in midfield. Should have scored from a header in the area. EPA
SUB: Konstantinos Tsimikas - 6. Joined proceedings with eight minutes remaining when Wijnaldum was substituted. Sent in a dangerous cross and showed promise in his second appearance since signing in the summer. EPA
SUB: Konstantinos Tsimikas - 6. Joined proceedings with eight minutes remaining when Wijnaldum was substituted. Sent in a dangerous cross and showed promise in his second appearance since signing in the summer. EPA
SUB: Neco Williams - 5. On for Alexander-Arnold in the 82nd minute and will be satisfied with his contribution at both ends of the pitch. Vital experience for 19-year-old. AFP
SUB: Neco Williams - 5. On for Alexander-Arnold in the 82nd minute and will be satisfied with his contribution at both ends of the pitch. Vital experience for 19-year-old. AFP

_________________________

Klopp insisted Jota's form does not give him a selection problem with regular striker Firmino rested ahead of the weekend Premier League clash against Manchester City.

"Good performances never give me a headache," said the German.

"For tonight it was clear that it made more sense to use the good shape that Diogo is in and because of the way Atalanta plays in defence it made sense that the skillset of Diogo helps.

"The world is sometimes a really bad place that in the moment when someone is shining we speak immediately of a player who played for us it feels like 500 games in a row, and we would not be in the Champions League if Bobby Firmino would not be with us.

"Tonight Diogo played a super, super game but that says nothing about Bobby."

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